Traditional Arts and Crafts-Tea Cult

Tea Cult

Called cha-no-yu or sado, the tea cult is the traditional Japanese way of drinking tea in accordance with set rules of etiquette. Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness during the ceremony. The cult was perfected by Rikyu Sen in the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the latter half of the fifteenth century.

In the tea ceremony, tea is made by putting powdered tea leaves into a cup and then adding hot water. It is then stirred till foamy with a tea whisk and drunk.

The “etiquette” of the tea ceremony concerns the manner in which the host serves the guests fine aromatic tea in a traditional tea cup of exquisite beauty and the manner in which guests show their appreciation to the host in the way they accept the tea.

The tea ceremony etiquette has been influenced by the etiquette observed by the samurai classes as well as by the form of noh dances. In turn, the tea cult has greatly influenced traditional Japanese and manners. Inner spirit is considered more important than the ritual form in the tea cult, and the heart of the ceremony lies in the “selfless manner” In which the host serves tea to the guests.

In inviting the guests to a ceremony, the host always takes utmost care in the preparation of his tea room, the adjacent garden, tea utensils and the provision of simple dishes for the guests in the tea room. Although a person invited to a tea ceremony for the first time is well advised to acquire some knowledge about the cult beforehand, still he should remember that the most important thing is the way guests express their sense of gratitude for the hospitality shown them by the host.

The study of the tea ceremony has become very popular among young Japanese both as a pastime and as an accomplishment to be mastered before marriage.

【日本語訳】
茶　道
　「茶道」は一定の作法にしたがって、主人と客が心の共感をもってお茶を飲む日本伝統のもので、安土桃山時代（１５世紀後半）に千利休によって大成された。
　茶道では、抹茶という粉末状の精製された茶の葉を茶碗に入れて湯を注ぎ，茶筅（ちゃせん）（竹の拡販具）でかきまわして泡立てて飲む。
　茶道の礼法は、そのためにつくられた観賞価値のある独特の茶碗に、香り高い茶をたてて客にすすめる方法や、客がこれをいただく心得がからなる。
茶道の礼法には、武士の礼法や能の影響がみられ、これは日本の伝統的な礼儀作法に強い影響を与えた。形よりも心を重んじ、おのれをむなしうして客をもてなすのが茶道の心といわれている。
　茶室（茶をたてるためにつくられた専門の部屋）、露地（茶室の庭）、会席料理（茶席で出す簡単な料理）、茶道具の取り合わせなど、すべてに客を迎える主人の細心の注意が払われる。茶会の客に初めて招かれた場合、茶道の礼法を知っているのにこしたことはないが、客として最も大切なのは主人の心づかいに対する感謝の気持ちである。
　現在日本では、茶道は女性が結婚前の嗜みや趣味として習うことが広く流行している。